Free Workshops to Help California Wineries and Vineyards Conserve Energy and Save Money

Nov 5, 2005

SAN FRANCISCO — The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) and Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) are co-hosting energy efficiency workshops throughout the state to help California wineries and vineyards conserve energy, resources and money. The workshops are free of charge to participants and are funded through PG&E's energy efficiency programs under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. The first two workshops will be held in Napa Valley from 7:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on November 30, 2005 at Silverado Vineyards and in Mendocino from 7:30-2:00 p.m. on December 14, 2005 at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center. Details on additional wine industry workshops to be offered in 2006 will be provided at a later date. Partner organizations for the workshops include Wine Institute, California Association of Winegrape Growers, Napa Valley Vintners, Napa Valley Grapegrowers, Mendocino Winegrowers Alliance and Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association.

The energy workshops are being held in response to findings in the California wine community's 2004 Sustainability Report, which provided results on the industry's adoption of sustainable winegrowing practices. The report indicated that energy use was an area that offered wineries and vineyards opportunities for improvement. In response, CSWA is partnering with PG&E to inform the wine community about best practices and opportunities for energy savings. Given the potential vulnerability and increasing costs of energy supplies, participation is expected to be high.

The workshop content includes energy evaluation and planning strategies, best practices for energy management in vineyards and wineries, and renewable energy opportunities. PG&E will provide updated information on free winery audits, available equipment rebates, technical support services and other new resources for winery and vineyard customers. The workshops will conclude with participants developing an action plan for improving practices as well as self-assessment ratings in the Energy Efficiency chapter of the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Workbook.

The energy workshops will augment other workshops on topics such as integrated pest management, ecosystem management, and air and water quality, being planned by CSWA for late fall 2005 and early 2006 as part of the California wine community's Sustainable Winegrowing Program. Visit www.sustainablewinegrowing.org for a workshop calendar, registration details and further information.

Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) introduced the Sustainable Winegrowing Program in 2002 to document and increase the level of adoption of these practices. A comprehensive workbook of best practices was developed, and over 130 educational workshops have been held throughout California to encourage expansion of the practices. The program has earned the California wine community numerous awards and a reputation as the wine world's leader in sustainability. Wine Institute and CAWG established CSWA in 2003, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to assist with implementation of the program.